About the FLIP Museum

The FLIP Museum was founded by a passionate group of parents and caregivers deeply affected by the closure of the Portland Children's Museum in 2021. Since its inception, we've created a nonprofit and forged our distinctive path, offering play experiences vital for the social-emotional health of children.

FLIP's strategy to support the healthy development of children is by leveraging the power of play. Research shows that children learn and heal through play. Not only is play-based learning more active, engaging, amd meaningful, developmentally appropriate play with adults and peers promotes the “social-emotional, cognitive, language, and self-regulation skills that build executive function and a prosocial brain.” Additionally, play supports the “formation of the safe, stable, and nurturing relationships with all caregivers that children need to thrive.” Caregivers also benefit from play: it helps them communicate more effectively with children by allowing them to experience the world from the child’s perspective. 

Play is even more important when a community is faced with trauma, as our community has been due to the global pandemic, racial injustices, and health inequities. Playing together reduces stress for adults and children, creates mutual joy and attunement, and strengthens the relationship between caregiver and child. Research further shows that positive social connections help us heal from trauma.

As a strategic first phase of our museum, we redefine the concept of a children’s museum by deploying mobile exhibits that pop up right where children already are, ensuring accessibility no matter what. After establishing our presence and mission with these mobile exhibits, our next step will be to set down roots in a permanent location.

FLIP’s Progress:

• FLIP was founded in 2021 as a nonprofit and established its vision and mission to promote the principles of Fun, Learning, Inspiration, Play

• In 2022, FLIP successfully rolled out its first mobile exhibit, a food cart made for kids to interact and engage with our community.

• FLIP secured a second mobile exhibit, a captivating hand-built train set to fascinate children through immersive experiences.

• In 2023, marking a pivotal point in our journey, FLIP transitioned from a purely volunteer-driven organization to onboarding its first staff, striving towards organizational development.

We have a long journey ahead of us, and your interest and support mean the world to us. Thank you for supporting FLIP!